West Lafayette baseball finds ace in healthy Tyler Wiseman

West Lafayette pitcher Tyler Wiseman (5) throws during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1.(Photo: Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier)

WEST LAFAYETTE — Tyler Wiseman clenched the baseball in his right hand as he toed the pitching rubber with two outs in the top of the sixth inning at Bob Friend Field Wednesday night.

He stared at third base, where Central Catholic's Daniel Roach stood.

He took a peak at first base, where Carson Barrett's 6-foot-5 frame was noticeable, especially after he just drilled a single to right field for a run-scoring single.

Then Wiseman looked at home plate and saw Knights cleanup hitter Adam Dienhart stepping into the batter's box.

West Lafayette catcher Owen Walbaum (1) catches the pitch during the seventh inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

West Lafayette pitcher Tyler Wiseman (5) throws during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Central Catholic first baseman Carson Barrett (30) watches as West Lafayette short stop Eric Schroeder (14) throws to first to out the runner during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

The West Lafayette dugout reacts to a call during the seventh inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Central Catholic catcher Ryan Joyce (17) reaches up to catch the ball during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

West Lafayette catcher Owen Walbaum (1) celebrates during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Central Catholic second baseman Nick DeBoy (51) misses the pass as West Lafayette second baseman Colin Martin (11) slides into second during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

West Lafayette catcher Owen Walbaum (1) catches a the pitch during the seventh inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Central Catholic head coach Tim Bordenet walks away from the mound during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

West Lafayette first baseman Jack McCain (34) swings during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Central Catholic short stop A.J. Bordenet (2) reacts after connecting during the seventh inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

West Lafayette pitcher Tyler Wiseman (5) throws during the sixth inning of a high school baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in West Lafayette. West Lafayette won, 3-1. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

"I've known Tyler for years. We're neighbors and we've thrown in the back yard," West Lafayette senior catcher Owen Walbaum said. "He was about as calm as I've ever seen him in that sixth inning."

It was simple pitch and catch.

Wiseman had been waiting for moments like this for more than a year and he wasn't going to shy away from it, even against the Class 2A No. 2 Knights.

Wiseman coaxed a ground ball to the shortstop to end the threat, the lone dangerous situation in a masterful performance that led to West Lafayette's stunning 3-1 upset of CC.

It ruined Central Catholic's Hoosier Conference championship hopes, but for Wiseman, it meant so much more.

"What is really neat about tonight is he spent all fall and all winter trying to rehab an arm injury," first-year West Lafayette coach Justin Hartman said. "To start this year, we didn't have him.

"This was his first start of the year. He's been working to get back to be able to play. We knew all along he was going to be our ace when he returned, but the time frame for that was a little uncertain."

It was April 12, 2018 when Wiseman experienced shoulder soreness in his throwing arm.

He was shut down for the rest of the season after discovering arthritis.

Since, he's rehabbed his shoulder and last week, after being the recipient of two cortisone shots, hours of physical therapy and having his shoulder coated in kinesiology tape, Wiseman entered as a relief pitcher against Harrison, the same team West Side was facing when he first experienced pain.

He gave up three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

His arm grew tired quickly.

But it was reassuring to be able to throw and not experience pain.

On Wednesday night, Hartman penciled in Wiseman as the starting pitcher and a gem of a performance would soon follow.

The Red Devil senior eased his way through a perfect first.

Then a perfect second.

And third.

Wiseman retired 11 straight batters before a two-out walk in the fourth. He'd take a no-hitter into the sixth before allowing three singles.

He pitched out of the only jam of the night by allowing just one run and finished off a complete game without any tiring and by shutting down one of the top teams on the West Lafayette schedule.

"Last year I didn't really get to pitch much my junior year and coming into this year, it wasn't looking too well," Wiseman said. "I couldn't throw much.

"After working through physical therapy, I kept getting more and more hope of getting back on the mound, so being out here pitching and getting this win, it means a ton to me."

He was able to shut down the Knights by simply not trying to do too much.

He threw strikes and relied on his defense, which backed him up by not making any errors.

"Having my defense behind me, I had this sort of confidence out there on the mound and I knew whether they hit the ball or not, I knew my defense was going to back me up," Wiseman said.

Walbaum felt like his battery mate looked "100 percent" on Wednesday night, which was not only a boost for Wiseman's confidence, but for the rest of the Red Devils, who'd suffered through a 1-7 start before beating the Knights.

It's almost like Wiseman's return to the mound has brought up everyone around him.

"It has been a long road for him coming back," Walbaum said. "That was big for him and it shows the team we can do something here. We can build off this win and go pretty far."

Sam King covers high school sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.